More than just Feluda (Fanfic)

Plans made & cancelled

1965:

At the dinner table, as everyone sat eating, Kaka made an announcement. 

"Felu, I've been thinking since some time now that you and Sindhu should go somewhere for a short trip. I talked to the travel agent, and he suggested some good summer stays. I have asked him to book a stay in Gangtok for you two. What do you think?"

He looked up at Kaka. "Kaka... I... But, why suddenly? I mean, we all could go..."

"Your Kaki is still recovering, and Tapesh doesn't need to go anywhere this summer, he's already been on the school trip. You both haven't gone anywhere since marriage, so I would say go and enjoy!"

He gave Sindhuja a questioning look. She obviously loved  this whole opportunity, but to not show off excitement, she just slightly nodded.

"I- need to check with the bank for holidays."

"You have some extra leaves remaining, I know that. Stop giving excuses, and tell me exact dates as soon as possible, so we can book plane tickets."

"Okay, I will."

1965:

The telephone rang. He was in the hall, so he went and picked it. 

"Hello? Yes... Okay, I'll call her... Sindhuja! Sindhuja?!"

She came down.

"What is it?"

"There's a call for you. From your father's house."

"Baba's house?!" She came running down the stairs like a little child and quickly took the telephone. She first talked smiling, but suddenly her expressions changed. "Yes, I'll come. In two days? Yes. Thank you."

She kept the phone. There was nothing of the previous smile left on her face.

"What happened?"

"Baba is very ill... He's taking my name again and again... I need to go and meet him." She said gravely.

"But, we're going to leave for Gangtok tomorrow. When will you go?"

She took a sharp breathe in. "No one called me from Baba's house ever since I came here. He's ill, and missing me... I have to go and meet him!"

"Do you mean you're not coming to Gangtok?"

She sighed. "Yes. I can't."

He kept looking at her, as if hoping she would reconsider what she said. "I have no problem with you cancelling the plans. But you want to go there, to a place and people you still get nightmares about?! What are you saying Sindhuja!"

"I'm not happy going there either. But, Baba needs me."

"You're getting too emotional about this. What if they treat you there like before?"

"What do you mean 'too emotional'? He's my father !"

"He never even took a stand for you all that time you suffered-"

"That's none of your business!" She snapped in the blur of tears blinding her eyes.

He fell silent. She realised she had said too much.

"I mean, I need to go there. Just for two days, but I have to meet him."

He slowly said. "What can I say? Do whatever."

She sighed. "I didn't mean to say that to you... I'm sorry."

He ignored the apology and said plainly, "I'm coming with you. I don't trust those people."

"No, no... I don't want them to disrespect you or get into a fight. Please, leave it to me. I can handle it. I have handled it before."

"But-"

"Please. Trust me."

He looked at her and then finally agreed. "Just two days."

"Yes."

"And if anything doesn't go right, you call home right away."

"I will."

There was a brief silence.

"Do you god-promise?" He asked seriously.

She broke out in a smile. "What?!"

"That's what you and Topshe say right, when you decide on something serious?..."

"Oh, yes!... God-promise."

He talked to Kaka about Sindhuja's issue. But it was too late to cancel the trip and get money refunded for the airplane & hotel. So it was decided that he would still go to Gangtok, accompanied by Tapesh instead. 

Kaki was sad that the Gangtok plan did not work out, but little did she know that it was going to start a new chain of events, that would change the couple's life dramatically.